Sai Sudharsan Holds Orange Cap While Kohli Plots Playoff Comeback
The Orange Cap race in IPL 2025 is heating up, and it’s not the usual suspects dominating the leaderboard. This season, Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan is sitting pretty at the top with 679 runs. You might remember Sudharsan for his calm head, but this year he’s built a reputation for consistency and nerve—both things a top-order batter desperately needs when every game feels like a knockout. His steady starts have anchored Gujarat’s campaign and made him the surprise story of the tournament so far.
Right behind Sudharsan is his teammate Shubman Gill, who’s no stranger to big scores. Gill’s tally of 649 runs puts GT in an enviable spot: two openers inside the top two of the Orange Cap race. The duo has built several match-winning stands, putting the Titans in pole position going into the playoffs.
Don’t take your eyes off Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav either. After smashing 57 runs in his recent outing, he’s stormed into third with 633 runs. Yadav’s return to form has come just at the right time for the five-time champions, as Mumbai try to shake off early season wobbles and chase another title. If he keeps swinging, that gap at the top could disappear fast.
Virat Kohli’s Legacy Grows—But Can He Close the Gap?
Of course, no IPL run-scoring discussion is complete without Virat Kohli. He’s been here before—many times, in fact—and this season he’s racked up 602 runs, placing him fifth on the 2025 list after a gritty 54 in his last league appearance. That innings didn’t just boost his Orange Cap pursuit; it nudged him past the incredible 8,000-run mark in IPL history. Nobody else is close. Kohli’s current total stands at 8,447, with a career strike rate of 132.31. These aren’t just numbers—they’re proof that he keeps redefining what staying power looks like at the top of the game. He’s hit eight half-centuries this season, showing he’s nowhere near finished.
Mitchell Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants) earned fourth spot with 627 runs, though LSG’s playoff dreams have already been dashed. It’s a bittersweet achievement, but a reminder that strength in the engine room can carry individual players far, even if their teams splutter out.
The next few matches are the crunch time. The Titans still have everything to play for, with both Sudharsan and Gill looking to use the playoffs as another stage for their run-making duel. Suryakumar Yadav’s resurgence means Mumbai Indians can never be counted out. Kohli, always a clutch performer in high-stakes situations, may yet close the gap if Bengaluru can find a few more wins. Beyond the top five, KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals) have strung together solid numbers, even if they haven't broken into the leading pack yet.
With the playoffs looming, everyone’s watching those in-form hitters—who will crack, and who will chase down the Orange Cap when it matters the most?